Chandigarh November 25: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal said that with a view to develop Kurukshetra as a tourist destination of International level as well as a centre of religious faith, the State Government is mulling a policy to offer plots in Kurukshetra measuring 1500 square meters to 2000 square meters on concessional rates to the States intended to construct Bhawans for the pilgrims visiting the holy land of Kurukshetra.
Mr Manohar Lal was addressing a press conference regarding the International Gita Mahotsav-2019 being organized in Kurukshetra from November 23 to December 10, 2019, here today. Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Mr Sandeep Singh was also present on this occasion.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana has already taken the initiative of setting up ‘State Bhavan’ at ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Complex’ near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat on land measuring 1500 square meters so that the same could be utilized by the people of Haryana visiting Statue of Unity.
He said that it has also been decided to construct “Bharat Mata Temple in Kurukshetra over five acres of land at any place between Jyotisar and Brahamsarovar. He said that besides the State Government, Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) and various social and religious organizations are working for the development of Kurukshetra as a religious and cultural centre. The work is in progress for the construction of Gio Gita Sansthanam, Akshardham Temple, ISKON Temple and Gyan Mandir, said the Chief Minister adding that with the construction of these institutions, Kurukshetra would get a distinct identity at International level. He said that this would result in significant increase in the number of tourists and pilgrims visiting Kurukshetra.
Mr Manohar Lal said that this year, the International Gita Mahotsav-2019 is being organized in Kurukshetra from November 23 to December 10, 2019 with main programmes lined up between December 3 to December 8, 2019. He said that it is a matter of pride that the Government of India has given its consent to use the Logo of “Atulya Bharat” (Incredible India) during the Mahotsav. It is a pleasant coincidence that after a fortnight of the International Gita Mahotsav, the astronomical event of solar eclipse is happening on December 26 and this would be visible in Kurukshetra after a gap of 10 years. Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to visit Kurukshetra on this pious occasion, he added.
He said that various dignitaries would participate in the International Gita Mahotsav. While Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat and Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Mr Ramesh Chand Dhawala would grace the occasion on December 3, 2019, Working President of the Bharatiya Janta Party Mr J.P Nadda would be present on December 7, 2019. Similarly, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Mr Nitin Gadkari and Governor Uttarakhand Mrs Baby Rani Maurya would remain present on December 8, 2019.
He said that while Uttrakhand is the Partner State for the International Gita Mahotsav this year, 15 countries are participating in the Mahotsav. Apart from this, delegation of Britain, Mauritius, Australia and Canada are also visiting Kurukshetra. He said that besides the Universities of Haryana, scholars of foreign Universities and Ambassadors of Countries like Nepal, Britain and Mauritius are also participating in the Gita Mahotsav.
The Chief Minister said that this year, Gita Mahotsav is being organized in all districts of the State from December 6 to December 8, 2019. Apart from this, it is also being organized at all the pilgrimage sites falling under the radius of 48 kilometers of Kurukshetra. He said that as nine districts fall in the radius of 100 kms of Kurukshetra, Dainik Bus Seva would be started for the pilgrims from December 1 to December 10, 2019 to ferry them from their places to the pilgrimage sites and back. To facilitate the pilgrims, only 50 per cent fair would be charged from them. An arrangement of 100 buses has been made for this purpose.
Mr Manohar Lal said that this year, apart from 18,000 students, 3000 citizens would also recite the verses from the Gita on December 8, 2019. Similar programmes would also be organized in different parts of the country and abroad by various social and religious organizations. Apart from this, Aarti would be performed at the bank of Brahmasarovar everyday in the evening. Other programmes which would be organized during the Gita Mahotsav included Kavi Sammelan, Sant Sammelan, Bhavya Shobha Yatra, exhibition by Indian Space Research Council, Paint the Wall Competition etc. In addition to this, Haryana Pavilion would also be set up exhibiting Haryana’s culture, tradition and craft.
Among those present on this occasion included Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Mr Sandeep Singh, MLA Thanesar Mr Subhash Sudha, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Rajesh Khullar, Deputy Commissioner Kurukshetra Dr S.S Phulia, Honorary Secretary of Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) Mr Madan Mohan Chabra, members of the Board namely Mr Saurav Chaudhary, Mr Ravinder Sangwan, Mr Upender Singhal and Mr Rajender Prashar.